After a fresh reinstallation of the operating systerm, you should load the Dell™ Desktop System Software (DSS) first on the system. If you install the chipset first, the USB drivers are dropped, causing the keyboard and mouse not to work until after a reboot.

The DSS is not required for Windows Vista™ operating systems.

The DSS driver is available on support.dell.com under System and Configuration Utilities and on the ResourceCD under System Utilities. The driver is labeled Dell Desktop System Software. Once the driver is obtained, it unzips and installs like any other system driver.

The integrated video driver is available on support.dell.com and on the ResourceCD under Video Drivers. The driver is labeled SiS 671. Once the driver is obtained, execute the file; it unzips and prompts the user to continue the installation process.

Once you install the integrated video driver, the integrated video is identified correctly under the Display adapters key in Device Manager.

The integrated audio driver is available on support.dell.com and on the ResourceCD under Audio Drivers. The driver is labelled Analog Devices ADI 198x Integrated HD Audio. Once the driver is obtained, execute the file; it unzips and prompts the user to continue the installation process.

Once you install the audio driver, the High Definition Audio Device entry becomes the SoundMAX Integrated Digital High Definition Audio entry.

The integrated network driver is available on support.dell.com and on the ResourceCD under Network Drivers. The driver is labeled Broadcom 57xx Gigabit Integrated Controller. Once the driver is obtained, execute the file; it unzips and prompts the user to continue the installation process.

Before network drivers are installed, the Windows® operating system does not recognize the integrated LOM and sets the device up as an Network Controller under Other devices. Once you install the network drivers, it is recognized properly under Network adapters.

The wireless card driver is available on support.dell.com and on the ResourceCD under Network Drivers. The driver is labeled Wireless WLAN 1397 Half MiniCard. Once the driver is obtained, execute the file; it unzips and prompts the user to continue the installation process.

Before wireless card drivers are installed, the Windows® operating system does not recognize the card and sets the device up as an Network Controller under Other devices. Once you install the network drivers, it is recognized properly under Network adapters.Back to Top

OptiPlex n Series systems are offered with the FreeDOS™ operating system dropped in the box. FreeDOS is not factory installed or supported by Dell. On OptiPlex systems, n Series ship with a hard drive that includes a utility partition with the following files installed: io.sys, msdos.sys, and command.com. The customer also has the option to order an n Series system with no hard drive at all.

Dell Precision n Series systems with FreeDOS ship with a blank, unpartitioned hard drive. Dell Precision customers have the additional option of ordering n Series systems with the Linux® OS.

Most FreeDos systems are labelled 'nSeries' systems. The n Series products are designed to meet the needs of customers who do not require a Microsoft® operating system license.

Products branded n Series are identical in every hardware respect to the standard Dell™ systems that ship with a Microsoft operating system